NBA Picks: Orlando Magic at Memphis Grizzlies
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Memphis Grizzlies will try and move their record above .500 when they host the Orlando Magic Monday night. The Grizzlies were last above .500 at 2-1 back on Oct. 30. Memphis lost 89-72 at Orlando earlier this season, but have won four of the last five games played at FedExForum.
Orlando had no trouble with the Cavaliers on Sunday, beating Cleveland 103-87, but are just 6-5 since winning nine straight.
The Grizzlies rallied from 21 down to beat the Pistons 99-94 on Friday, and then followed that up with a 107-93 win at Washington on Saturday. The Grizzlies have won five of their last six.
Taking a look at the NBA spreads for tonight’s game, oddsmakers have the Magic favored by 2-points over the Grizzlies with the total set at 198.5.
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The Magic have struggled to get on a run lately. Orlando has alternated losses and wins over their last four games, and are just 3-4 in their last seven games on the road. Orlando didn’t have to put a whole lot of effort into their win over Cleveland last night, which should help them bring a little more energy on the second night of a back-to-back.
Dwight Howard had 20 points and 20 rebounds in just 26 minutes of work, and has been nearly unstoppable of late. Howard had 40 points and 15 rebounds against the Bulls on Friday, and is averaging 24.2 points and 16.2 rebounds over his last five games.
Ryan Anderson led everyone with 23 points off the bench and also finished with 16 rebounds. J.J. Redick added 17 and Jason Richardson and Brandon Bass each finished with 12. Anderson bounced back from a rough showing in Chicago, where he had just nine points, and is averaging 15.8 points over his last five games.
The Grizzlies got a big time performance from Zach Randolph against the Wizards with 24 points and 20 rebounds, but Randolph was just one of six different players to score in double figures. Darrell Arthur came off the bench to score 22 points on 9-11 shooting, Mike Conley had 15 points and 12 assists, and the Grizzlies rolled despite getting just four points from Rudy Gay.
Both Randolph and Gay are going to have to play better than they did the first time against Orlando. Both players had just nine points a piece, and were a combined 8-32 from the field. The Grizzlies also got just 18 points from their bench against Orlando, compared to the 40 points they got in their last win against Washington.
I really think the Grizzlies are going to come out with a lot of energy and really try and get back above that .500 mark. Orlando is 0-4 in their last four road games against teams with a winning record, and while Memphis is just .500 I think they not only cover but win this game tonight.
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